The Light that Binds Us All

Disclaimer: The following text is the winning essay I wrote for our school’s essay/art competition about why voting matters in a democracy. Please note that I do not own the designs shown in this article’s cover image. I found it on Canva. Thank you.

The Light that Binds Us All

      A light above angles towards a mirror and dims as soon as two people dressed in formalwear step up to participate in a debate. Colors in shades of gray and gold seem to ring in their words as their echoes trace across the room. These individuals are asked questions and given specific amounts of time to answer them in a way that registers as political art. But the real question is what these leaders will do for us: the people of the United States of America. The people who range from various perceived social classes, but fortunately and justifiably due to certain unalienable rights, all of our voices deserve to be listened to. Each one of us has a whisper in our conscience that motivates us to commit to the actions we do every day, and each tone we use hums away into a beautiful melody for the selected few who are allowed to interpret them. And as we cast our vote like a ray of light, we gradually mend together like a mixed media piece and shape the world as we know it to create a democracy. 

    What matters to you can only happen once you vote for a president that has values that align with your own. Since they have studied diplomacy, they are trusted enough by many people in the government to run for such an influential position. And your own opinions on the other hand might not relate to other people’s thoughts and ideas to the point where conflict can occur. But what is important to remember is that if we don’t vote for someone who is going to be able to communicate with other world leaders and us as well, make actual plans and stick with them, acknowledge statistics and elaborate on them to help predict future events and be active during social movements, we won’t be living in a society that is safe for us and improving at the same time. Think about presidents hundreds of years ago like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, Adams was a part of the federalist party while Jefferson was an anti-federalist and Republican. (Thomas Jefferson & John Adams | Relationship, Letters & Death). We need that type of diversity in our political system, and we have to vote for someone who passionately wants to bring about change and has either seen the various sides of what life has to offer or is someone who is educated about what other people have gone through. 

    Voting allows you to come together with your fellow Americans and establish means of peace within society. With more access to higher quality education, we can sustain people by giving them more job opportunities and having more discoveries and research done in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. More work related to the arts is a goal that can also be achieved as well, like writing books, movies and music just to name a few mediums. And factors like global warming, soil erosion and the way “the average age of farm producers is increasing (approaching 60), with fewer young people entering the industry,” are increasing rapidly indicating that we must do something about it. (Robinson 21). And so many don’t have the luxury to afford physical, social and emotional care because of problems involving personal finances. We can truly understand the effects of all of this if we take a look at the shrinking middle class. 

    When we vote, we pave the way for a new generation of people to come into the picture we paint and witness today. We have the power to inspire others who can potentially one day advance in a career in politics as long as we advocate what is right in an alluring yet logical way. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, “The U.S. economy lost 23 million jobs,” . . . “led to a recession in early 2020.” (Leith 1). The overall inflation in our economy is still taking a toll on citizens today, and by picking the right president, we can try to clean up our messes so that our youth can live freely and successfully. And at the end of the day, isn’t that the ideology that our entire country is built upon? 

    One vote can sway a whole nation’s future. One voice can silence a whole crowd. And the empathy that lies in all of us is a truth that can only be heard if found. Please vote this election season for the candidates you think will be able to solve problems and represent the states to other countries as a whole. The main candidates who are debating for different positions in our government system are Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. And most importantly, try to get involved into politics so that you can work towards living in a world you can thrive in. Remember the light that binds us all in our own democracy “because without that drive that motivates us to make decisions, we lose our sense of humanity.” (Chandrasekhar 6). 

Works Cited

Chandrasekhar, Isheeta. “To Be Fortunate is a Blessing – Infinity Institute News.” Infinity Institute News, 2 April 2024, https://iinews.org/1035/school-advice/to-be-fortunate-is-a-blessing/. Accessed 8 October 2024.

Leith, Lawrence H. “What caused the high inflation during the COVID-19 period?” Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2023/beyond-bls/what-caused-the-high-inflation-during-the-covid-19-period.htm. Accessed 8 October 2024.

Robinson, Lindsey. “Top 7 Ag Issues 2024: Challenges in Modern Agriculture | Verdesian.” Verdesian Life Sciences, 4 September 2024, https://vlsci.com/blog/top-issues-in-agriculture-2024/. Accessed 8 October 2024.

Sullivan, Nate. “Thomas Jefferson & John Adams | Relationship, Letters & Death – Lesson.” Study.com, https://study.com/learn/lesson/john-adams-and-thomas-jefferson.html. Accessed 8 October 2024.